to be
Hansel's finger, wondered very much that it was not getting fatter. When
four weeks had passed and Hansel seemed to remain so thin, she lost
patience and could wait no longer.

"Now then, Grethel," cried she to the little girl; "be quick and draw
water; be Hansel fat or be he lean, to-morrow I must kill and cook
him."

Oh what a grief for the poor little sister to have to fetch water, and
how the tears flowed down over her cheeks!

"Dear God, pray help us!" cried she; "if we had been devoured by wild
beasts in the wood at least we should have died together."

"Spare me your lamentations," said the old woman; "they are of no
avail."

Early next morning Grethel had to get up, make the fire, and fill the
kettle.

"First we will do the baking," said the old woman; "I have heated the
oven already, and kneaded the dough."

She pushed poor Grethel towards the oven, out of which the flames were
already shining.

"Creep in," said the witch, "and see if it is properly hot, so that the
bread may be baked."

And Grethel once in, she meant to shut the door upon her and let her be
baked, and then she would have eaten her. But Grethel perceived her
intention, and said,

"I don't know how to do it: how shall I get in?"

"Stupid goose," said the old woman, "the opening is big enough, do you
see? I could get in myself!" and she stooped down and put her head in
the oven's mouth. Then Grethel gave her a push, so that she went in
farther, and she shut the iron door upon her, and put up the bar. Oh how
frightfully she howled! but Grethel ran away, and left the wicked witch
to burn miserably. Grethel went straight to Hansel, opened the
stable-door, and cried,

"Hansel, we are free! the old witch is dead!"

Then out flew Hansel like a bird from its cage as soon as the door is
opened. How rejoiced they both were! how they fell each on the other's
neck! and danced about, and kissed each other! And as they had nothing
more to fear they went over all the old witch's house, and in every
corner there stood chests of pearls and precious stones.

"This is something better than flint stones," said Hansel, as he filled
his pockets, and Grethel, thinking she also would like to carry
something home with her, filled her apron full.

"Now, away we go," said Hansel;--"if we only can get out of the witch's
wood."

When they had journeyed a few hours they came to a great piece of water.

"We can never get across this," said Hanse